The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I was tagged by the talented author Keri Lake to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. She’s been cooking up a literary storm of late and is someone you should get to know if you enjoy solid indy reads. Keri is a kindred spirit and it’s been immensely gratifying to see her succeed with her work. I began writing responses to this a week ago, but the storm and the passing away of my kitty (of twelve years) thwarted my progress. The last few days have been very quiet, but alas, the internet is back and all is right again! Progress on Naera’s Daughter, A Book of Laremlis continues, full steam ahead.

1. What is the title of your work in progress?

The current title is Naera’s Daughter, A Book of Laremlis.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was on vacation in Turks and Caicos, surrounded by peace and quiet save for the gentle lapping of the ocean. As the days passed I began to feel quite happy I hadn’t even touched a computer. I was half way through Gardens of the Moon by Steve Erikson when I realized I wanted to write and not read. I was impressed by Erikson’s ability to “just write” and not do too much explaining, whisking the reader from one character to the next, one political climate to the next. While reading Gardens of the Moon I had some kind of writing epiphany about third person perspective. I realized that I needed to pull the camera back and let the grand theater of my worlds unfold. That night I had a dream about mermaids, maybe it was all the water and scuba diving, but at 4AM I took the laptop out of the safe and began writing. I wrote 10K words in a few days, often sending Marzio revisions and new chapters. As usual, he was very encouraging and so I kept going. The story had gripped me.

I set the tale in the existing world of The Books of Liryos, the trilogy I had been working on up until that time. I didn’t bother outlining or even thinking. I just wrote. It was a wonderful feeling to just have the words flow. One thing I didn’t enjoy about Erikson was the way the romance was dealt with expediently and coldly, set aside to make way for war. Well, I wanted it all. I wanted my epic fantasy, my intrigues, my wars, and my love story.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

This book has it’s share of sexy scenes, but it falls in the realm of epic fantasy.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Andrei Andrei and Carmen Ungearu, the two models that posed for the cover are phenomenal aesthetically for the characters. Amanda Seyfried would do an amazing job with the role of Avaren. I’d love to see her as a siren with whipping black tentacles.

The leading man is a bit trickier. If I can’t cast Andrei Andrei, I’d have to go with Henry Cavill, Kellan Lutz or French actor Tahar Rahim. They are all hot, I’m not picky!

The rest of the characters are not so young or pretty. We have a war veteran and forensic investigator by the name of Deneven who has Sean Bean written all over him. Our weathered sea captain named Goran would be played by Vladimir Kulich, and last but not least, a tough-as-nails queen, Eva, played by classy Anne Hathaway.

As for my villain, Shiloh Fernandez, definitely. I’d cast the rest, but I want to keep some things a surprise.

5. What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?

This is always one of those questions that takes several hours to answer. Boiling down Naera’s Daughter or any book to one sentence is nothing short of an epic feat–something akin to acquiring the Golden Fleece, but I digress.

As the Three Sisters convene in the night skies, the fate of the ancient port city of Reyza depends on the actions of the infamous rogue Jarle Jadien, and a refugee girl whose dark lineage may be the city’s only salvation.‬

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Our book will likely be published by Digital Alchemist LLC, our own publishing house, but it’s also possible that we may ‪submit the manuscript to the major publishers as well.‬ As we get closer to the finish line we’ll have more information regarding the specifics.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript.

The first draft of the manuscript is in progress. I began writing it in July and Marzio jumped in sometime around September. The story has thus far continued to surprise us with it’s twists and turns. We’re reaching the half way point now.

8. What other books would you compare this story to in your genre.

One of the reasons I’ve chosen to write is that there are very few books that have captured what I want to read. I would say the Malazan books may come close in style.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

One of my main characters, Khajj, inspired me to write this book. I was quite upset with her you see. I was angry and frustrated with the progress I was making with the Soulbinder’s Covenant. The words weren’t cooperating and I was losing steam. After banging my head on her book it was clear that I needed a break, but I felt guilty taking one. Sometimes my characters talk to me in dreams. Khajj had put her foot down. The message was clear. Stop. Breathe. Live. Write an introduction to my story the only way that you can. Naera’s Daughter does just that. Aside from being an action-packed thrill ride, it will also be a great primer for the trilogy to come.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Naera’s Daughter is the first foray into our vision of epic fantasy. Marzio and I often talk about what we love and what we find missing in the fantasy genre. We are both fans of rich settings, exotic characters and epic situations. We loathe deus ex machina and other ‘cheats’. We promise our readers that our characters and plots develop naturally and whatever seeds we plant early will blossom later. Another peeve is that all too often we are left hanging when authors choose to ‘fade to black’ just when things are beginning to heat up. We feel that romance and sex are just as vital as bloodshed and intrigue. In our books we promise to get the heart pounding with action of all sorts!

I am already looking forward to your book dear Narcisse, you have the ability to capture the reader within the first two pages of your books and that is what makes a great writer and a pleasure to read you!